The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared an industrial dispute with the Federal Government, extending by four weeks its deadline for the implementation of outstanding demands and warning that it may embark on a nationwide strike if the issues remain unresolved.
The decision followed an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturday to review developments after the expiration of the association’s earlier 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government.
In a communiqué jointly signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, the association said it could no longer guarantee industrial harmony beyond the new four-week window unless its demands were fully addressed.
The association cannot guarantee industrial harmony beyond the four-week window if all its demands are not fully addressed,” the communiqué stated.
NARD also directed its National Officers’ Committee to begin all necessary preparations for industrial action should the Federal Government fail to demonstrate satisfactory compliance within the stipulated period.
The association accused the government and several health institutions of failing to honour commitments on doctors’ welfare, particularly the payment of outstanding salaries, allowances and other entitlements.
Among the unresolved issues highlighted by NARD is the non-disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), despite repeated assurances from the government. The doctors also expressed concern over delays in the payment of House Officers’ salaries and outstanding entitlements in several health institutions.
The association further lamented the continued non-payment of arrears arising from the 25 and 35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), as well as 19 months of outstanding Professional Allowance arrears.
“NARD can no longer tolerate the hardship being imposed on doctors through persistent delays in salaries and welfare payments,” the association said.
The resident doctors also condemned what they described as the victimisation of their members at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, warning that they would resist any form of intimidation or harassment targeting their members.
In addition, the association criticised attempts by the management of OAUTHC to reintroduce bench fees for resident doctors in private tertiary health institutions, despite an existing government circular abolishing the practice.
NARD also faulted the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for allegedly refusing to provide call meals for resident doctors on duty, describing the development as an anti-welfare practice.
The association warned that any hospital management that failed to provide the entitlement would be held responsible for any industrial unrest resulting from the situation.
Despite the grievances, NARD acknowledged progress in some areas, including efforts to curb assaults on healthcare workers and the near completion of reports by ministerial committees investigating workplace violence, excessive workload, prolonged call hours, casualisation of doctors and abusive locum appointments.
The association also commended some state governments and private tertiary health institutions for implementing welfare measures, including the payment of Professional Allowance arrears, Specialist Allowance, salary adjustments under the reviewed CONMESS structure and the release of the Medical Residency Training Fund.
However, NARD maintained that the overall implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government remained slow and unsatisfactory.
The association is demanding the immediate release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, payment of all outstanding salaries, promotion and Professional Allowance arrears, implementation of the reviewed CONMESS salary structure, stronger protection for healthcare workers against assaults and accelerated implementation of the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement.
It also called for the immediate submission, approval and implementation of recommendations by ministerial committees investigating excessive workload and poor working conditions for doctors.
NARD said it would assess the government’s level of compliance with its resolutions during its National Executive Council meeting scheduled for July 2026 in Gombe State.
